ocdhedgehog:

mindovermatterzine:

ocdhedgehog:

Money can indeed “buy happiness” but only to a certain degree (from some academic study I read.  I think the cut-off point is about $75k USD).  It obviously can’t fix a metric shit-ton of emotional/psychological issues, but being financially secure can drastically relieve stress, and depression related to said stress.  I know I’d be in a far better place, mentally speaking, if I had the sort of dosh where I could do what I want to do with my life without making rather large sacrifices.  It wouldn’t fix my problems, but at least I wouldn’t have to pluck *very* premature greyish hairs.

Yeah, I’m in no way suggesting as per India Knight’s hateful article this week, that if you’re rich having a mental illness is somehow easier for you:

“Taboos exist, certainly, but they concern people who are eating from bins and shouting at pigeons. They do not concern privileged, talented people who are depressed in the considerable comfort of their own home…”

Mental illness is shitty regardless of your socioeconomic status: it strikes you down with no consideration of the size of your bank balance and is horrible to go through whether you live in a mansion or a hostel. People who say “What have they got to be so depressed about? - They’re rich!” are part of the problem, and that’s definitely not a position I’m advocating. However, there are two important facts to take note of:

  • those in poverty are more likely to experience poor mental health
  • those with poor mental health are more likely to experience poverty

I’m not saying that giving someone a huge pot of money is going to make their mental illness magically go away, but as you’ve said, it can help to alleviate a lot of life stressors (malnutrition, poor or no housing, worries about money) that can feed into and exacerbate existing mental illness. It can also give people the opportunity to afford the medication and therapy they need to help them recover. Sadly money is key in our society, and it can open a lot of doors and widen your life chances.

Aye, it does.  I have heard the “joke” that if you’re poor and have mental problems, then you’re “crazy”, but if you’re rich and have problems that you’re just “eccentric”.  And unfortunately, money and the political system in any given place can be even worse.  

Unfortunately for me, I live in the US, where there is no NHS or any analogue, and don’t really have any exit options.  Thanks to a referral from a former shrink, I started going to this really intense outpatient clinic that specialised in anxiety disorders… But my now former insurance company cut me off half-way through because of the cost, with no options for continuing treatment.  When I called them to appeal their decision for denial of care, they told me that I couldn’t appeal since I had left the programme (Yeah, like I could afford $500 USD per day).  They then cancelled my coverage a few months later for refusing to recognise the credit card that I called them *twice* to put on auto-pay instead of a paper bill.  Again, no appeal, and I can’t get any medical coverage in the country unless my disability/incapacity benefits go through.  Believe me, I have tried.

These companies thrive on the fact that the people who need the help most can’t afford to take them to court for breaking the law.  Be glad that as bad as things are in the UK for those who need benefits, you’re orders of magnitude better off than those who are stuck in the US.

(Bolded by me for emphasis)

You are absolutely right: it’s so easy to for these companies to exploit the disenfranchised, the poor, the disabled, because they have money on their side. I’m so sorry to hear about your situation. I think it’s important that you share your words though: sometimes they’re the only ammunition you have.

Notes

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